Fear over loss of driver licences

Sunday, July 14th, 2013 - Country Alliance

Fears have been heightened that the Napthine Government’s decision to scrap registration stickers could lead to more people losing their drivers’ licences.

The Country Alliance party says the inability of people to confirm the registration status of vehicles will expose mechanics, employees and those hiring vehicles to the risk of losing their licenses unless they check the vehicles status online before driving.

“Mechanics, for example, test drive many vehicles very day,” said senate candidate and mechanic Andrew Jones.

“It can take several minutes to do for each vehicle which creates a disincentive to make those checks. If someone driving an unregistered vehicle then gets pulled over, they could cop a big fine or demerit points”.

“We’re not saying the initiative is a bad one. In fact is very welcome, however some thought needs to go into to how those assuming vehicles are registered are treated”, he said.

Mr Jones said the solution would be to put the onus of registration on the vehicle’s owner rather than driver.